Tube amp newbie needs some love

Vandam

Hi Everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

There is a wealth of knowledge on this forum, and I appreciate your help with the following question.

I am hoping to dip my toes in the Integrated Tube Amp pool. I've read a lot, learned a bit, and found most of it a bit over my head. I would like to buy a good, 2 channel tube amp that I could add into a small bedroom system I am building. My wife won't be too thrilled with my Monitor 10's in the bedroom, so I'll have to live with some small bookshelf speakers. Keep that in mind if you recommend a nice integrated tube amp.

So, can any of you list a few tube amps that I could google, search for information on? I would prefer to go 'new' if at all possible. I am not all that technically savvy, and really don't feel lucky in buying used...at least not at this time. Maybe after I have cut my teeth on something to learn with.

All help, hints, tips are appreciated!


ps...what the hell does 'rolling tubes' mean?

thsmith

Welcome to CP.

Tube rolling is rolling different tubes into your amp/pre/phone/whatever with differnt tubes for a different sound.

Before making a recommendation on a integrated tube amp it would be good to know what speakers you plan to use their efficiency rating. You might be ok with a 5watt or 50watt amp, depends on your speakers.

Or I guess you could buy your intergated first and find the speakers to match.

This might be a good place to start.

http://www.daredtube.com/products.htm

Systems

If I was just getting my feet wet in tubes but wanted to jump right into tube rolling I'd look into a 6550 based unit. Most of these can use 6550's or KT88's in the power / output section. You'll most likely find something like 12AU7's, 12AX7's, 12AT7's, 5751's, 6SN7's in the input or driver stage of the amp. Lots of tube choices with an amp like this with tons of combinations to explore. I believe Prima Luna makes an intergrated that will use almost any power tube that will fit in the socket???? EL34, 6CA7, 6550, KT77, KT88 and so on. As Mr. Smith mentioned above speaker selection will play a BIG part in the choices you make also. A 5wpc - 10wpc amp isn't going to give you what you want with a speaker that is 86db efficient.

BTW...welcome to the show.

halo71

When someone asks me about which tube guitar amp to choose. One of my first questions is what is their budget. Might be a good starting point here as well.

Systems

halo71 wrote: »

When someone asks me about which tube guitar amp to choose. One of my first questions is what is their budget. Might be a good starting point here as well.

The budget was blown when he decided to go to tubes and mentioned 'rolling'

halo71

^ Oh my bad. I am a noob to hifi tube amps as well.

Vandam

Thanks for the responses so far, much appreciated.

I do not yet have speakers that I have designated for it...I would prefer to start with the amp, and then find some high efficiency speakers to match up with it. The budget..well, you know how that goes - I want everything, for nothing.

Around $1000?

reeltrouble1

You seek a used Manley Stingray look for one on Audiogon an new one will blow your budget. These have a very high wife approval factor. They are also highly regarded for build and sound quality.

This one just sold but you will get the idea

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1264186553&/Manley-Stingray-price-drop

Others to consider are Jolida, Joule, and Vincent.

Welcome to CP.

RT1